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{Harper}  A night out to see the Christmas lights. A night that will go down in Kite family history as one of the worst family outings we have experienced. Stories that Lachie and I will remember for years to come. Stories that aren't fit for internet publication. You will know we have all recovered from this embarrassing night if we attempt to go light spotting next Christmas. Argh, kids!

 {Finn} This is Finn all over. He loves playing and REALLY wanted to attempt to roll down the National Arboretum hill (after passing on it last time) BUT he didn't want to get any grass clippings on him. Ah, what to do, what to do? This is him having a great time rolling down the hill, all while trying to lift his head to avoid said grass. Oh Finn!  
 

{The B-sides}

{not worried about the glass clippings, obviously}

{Finn: "Mum, can I show you how I wink?"
"Was that a wink?"
Me: "Getting there buddy!"}

{Now your turn harps}

{a drawing Finn submitted to the 'Giggle Gallery' (an Australian children's tv show that displays children's art/drawings). We posted it on Tuesday and by Wednesday he was asking if "it would be shown today?" Good grief this will be the world's longest wait. I did mention that their website said that not all entries are shown on TV. That didn't go down well at all! Could be a good lesson in disappointment. I am bracing myself for the tears...and the many,many questions. }

{picking at the gingerbread house at his pre-school end of year celebration}

{all week I had been encouraging Finn to write Christmas cards for his pre-school friends. With each suggestion, he would quickly change the subject or tell me "I'll do it later". I knew with twenty cards to write there was no way he would preserve with the task if he felt pressured into it. So I waited. One morning I sat down at the craft table and cut up twenty squares and wrote one child's name on each piece of paper. Finn walked in and sat down next to me, "What's this?". I told him these were his pre-school friends names and hey would you like to play a little game with me? I put down one card at a time and told him if he could read the name to take the card and put it in front of him. I have seen him read some of these names before around his learning space at school so I knew he would experience success easily. His pile got higher and higher with gasps of "I know that one!" Once the game was over I placed the Christmas cards out on the table with some stickers and textas and he was straight into it. He sat for an hour and wrote on each card (I encouraged him to take a break, but he wouldn't!). He let out a deep sigh when he finished, "Good, now I can go to the toilet!" }

{the intense side}

{the bright side}